Wincanton (Somerset) Mill St. Club was again the venue for the second Top Cue Tournament and Exhibition when on Sunday, 26th April, Brian Harvey (Bridgwater) the holder, Michael White (Midsomer Norton) and Charlie Gay (St Austell) played for the Top Cue Rose Bowl.
Brian showed little of his normal form and having been beaten by the two challengers it became a case of which one would come out top. Scoring was fairly even and when Michael obtained top of the table position it looked as though he might surge ahead, but having reached 50 he missed a fairly simple pot red and broke down. From that point the match swung round in favour of Charlie who then ran out winner by a small margin. Charlie also made the best amateur break of 71.
After presentation of the Rose Bowl by Norman Dagley, he and Roxton Chapman provided the professional 'slot' of two hours during which Roxton notched up breaks of 101, 106, 161, and a wonderful best of 233. The play concluded with trick shots and party pieces by the two pros which were greatly appreciated by the audience.
Despite my usual concern, the event proved to be a success in both entertainment and financial terms and I am pleased to say that a donation could be made to that most worthy charity, Cancer Research.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who helped including the referees, Ray Moore and Dave Smith, who stepped in to officiate at a moments notice.
Puddings take a beating The Southern leg of the biannual friendly billiards contest between teams from the Sandford Orcas area (Scrumpy's) and the Dove Valley League (Black Puddings) took place at Wincanton on Saturday, 25th April.
Despite the visitors having travelled down that morning from Ashbourne (Derbyshire) they played well and the result could have gone either way. The outcome of this enjoyable encounter was a 4-2 win for the Scrumpy's, but I have no doubt that the Puds will be planning their tactics for our next match, hopefully in October/November. Results (1 hr. games) Sandford Scrumpy's Dove Valley Black Puds Carroll Walters (35) 252 Dick Ratcliffe (34) 213 Steve Warren (36) 269 John Heathcote (S) 153 Jack Masters (41) 231 John Heathcote (40,35) 208 Martin Gillham 180 Gary Coe 141 Colin White 166 Brian Hayes 190 Mike Woolmington 139 Brian Hayes (S) 185 John & Brian played substitute (S) games.
| B. Harvey
105, 54, 52 | 478 | C. Walters
58 | 331 | ||
| S. Warren
48, 70, 47 | 445 | R. Watts
44, 48 | 371 | ||
| J. Masters
| 349 | K. Gray
| 209 | ||
| J. Westbury
| 340 | R. Foster
| 240 | ||
| M. Gillham
41, 43, 34, 32 | 400 | C. Hampton
| 250 | ||
| G. Warren
37 | 248 | R. Moore
| 241 | ||
| P. Willis
| 380 | M. Grant
| 239 | ||
| T. Thomas
| 294 | J. Stringfellow
| 179 | ||
| D. Burns
| 292 | M. Woolmington
| 192 | ||
| D. Harris
| 171 | R. Lee
| 130 |
Sandford Orcas avenged the previous encounter defeat of 7-3 with a 6-4 victory this time. Brian Harvey made the only century break of the event. All matches were of 90 minute duration. Only 7 points separated Ray Moore and George Warren in their game.
Merryfield took the league title from Hinckley Point 'B' with 39 wins from their 63 games played while Hinckley recorded 35 game wins. Brian Harvey was the only century break maker, playing from a -350 handicap position he made 6 century breaks with a best of 154. K & G Gray, Harvey and R Lee represented Merryfield.
This Round Robin saw Hinckley Point 'B' move into the semi final knock out stage along with their 'A' side, Legion ' A' & 'B'. Despite winning the round robin stage comfortably Hinckley 'B' were beaten by Legion 'B' 3-0. Legion 'A' although beating Hinckley 'A' 2-1 lost out on percentage count-back so the final saw Legion 'B' take on Hinckley 'A' with the Legion coming out 3-0 winners. Again Brian Harvey proved to be the only ton up boy with runs of 135 & 120. Legion 'B' were represented by P & M Grant, M Andrews and P Warren